Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX

Local News

December 21, 2007

Bill would bring $3.2 million home

Money goes to mix of projects in county

The final 2008 federal appropriations bill includes funding for four Johnson County projects: $1.9 million for the next phase of improvements at Ham Creek Park, $492,200 for a new water tower in Grandview, $188,000 for the county’s drug task force and $588,000 to widen Alsbury Boulevard in Burleson. President Bush is expected to sign the bill, which the House passed Monday and the Senate passed Tuesday, soon, said Josh Taylor, communications director for U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

“I’m grateful that Congress has approved my request for additional funding to continue the important work of reopening Ham Creek Park to the public for the first time in 23 years,” Edwards said.

Congress appropriated $900,000 toward the park’s renovation in 2006 and $1.2 million in 2007. The Johnson County Commissioners Court agreed to fund park maintenance and operation costs once U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers complete renovations. The $1.9 million will fund the project’s final phase, which includes building campsites, roads and parking areas.

“I’m just tickled to death Edwards worked to secure the funding, and Congress passed it,” said R.C. McFall, Johnson County Precinct 1 commissioner. “This is going to be a real good thing for everybody and a great place for parents to take their kids. I’ve never worked on any project this positive where all the city councils and chambers of commerce signed on and supported it so strongly.”

McFall said he expects final renovations to take about 18 months to complete.



Growing Grandview

A water tower is needed to spur Grandview’s development east of Interstate 35, Grandview Mayor Jack Orr said.

“Absolutely, this is wonderful news,” Orr said. “We need to get facilities on the other side of the interstate so we can get development going over there and, hopefully, increase our tax base.”

The water tower and a newly constructed sewer plant and planned sewer outfall line should help encourage residential and business development, Orr said.

“I want to salute Mayor Jack Orr and former Mayor Brandon Wright, who emphasized the importance of this project to me,” Edwards said. “I was pleased that we were successful in securing the funding because an adequate water supply is essential to the quality of life of Grandview.”

Continued fight

against drugs

Stop the Offender Program Special Crimes Unit Cmdr. Adam King thanked Edwards, McFall, District Attorney Dale Hanna and other officials for securing funding for the task force.

“I’m just very excited,” King said. “They saw a need and worked diligently to secure the funding. And that money is going to go a long way toward protecting and serving the citizens of Johnson County.”

McFall agreed.

“We’d just be in a terrible mess if we didn’t have that program and funding for it,” McFall said.

County officials created STOP SCU in 2005 after similar state-wide programs were disbanded due to lack of funding. The undercover joint law enforcement agency battles illegal drugs and other crimes throughout Johnson County.

“These funds will help our law enforcement officers curb the spread of illegal drugs in Johnson county and help keep our children safe,” Edwards said.

Better driving in Burleson

The bill also includes $588,000 to widen Burleson’s Alsbury Boulevard. The project also includes installation of underground drainage and sidewalks from Cathy Drive to 1,700 feet south of Shaftstall Road.

“Improving roads for Burleson citizens is important for continued economic growth and easing congestion,” Edwards said.

The money will partially fund the projects, Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter said.

“We’re really excited about the funding,” Shetter said. “It’s a key to our development. The big thing for us is that this helps move our transit-oriented-development district along, which is the area around our future commuter rail site. It’s all about sustainable development. People think you run the trains and development occurs, but it’s better to have development and people already in place.”

Funds allocated through the appropriations bill might make more money available for the project, Shetter said.

Text Only
Cleburne
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

  • First team offense, defense features host of area standouts

    The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
    The first-team offense included Alvarado quarterback Kenny West and Burleson quarterback Barrett Cain.

    January 29, 2012 2 Photos

  • Second Team Offense.jpg Cleburne, Grandview, Burleson lead second team offense, defense

    The 2011 Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex All-Johnson-County football team has been announced. The team was chosen by the Times-Review sports department based on all-district selections and coaches’ nominations.
    The second-team offense was led by Cleburne’s Quade Coward and Godley’s Rhett Brawner as the second-team quarterbacks.

    January 29, 2012 2 Photos

  • DSC_0031.JPG Cleburne pulls away from Burleson, 62-48

    The Cleburne Yellow Jackets beat Burleson, 62-48, on Friday night at Yellow Jacket Gym to move to 2-7 in District 7-A play. Burleson fell to 2-7 in league play with the loss.

    January 28, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_9414.JPG Lady Jackets pick up first District 7-4A win

    On Friday night at Yellow Jacket Stadium, Cleburne picked up its first win of the District 7-4A season, 66-60, over Burleson, which fell to 3-8.

    January 28, 2012 2 Photos

  • Up-and-down Yellow Jackets split Friday’s matches at Little Elm Tourney

    Both Cleburne soccer teams had mixed results on Friday in their respective tournaments.

    January 28, 2012

Johnson County
Alvarado
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Burleson
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Godley
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Grandview
Superlatives.jpg

Standing, from left, are Grandview’s Ryan Breton (offensive most valuable player) and Austin Martinez (Ironman award winner), Alvarado’s Wayne Onderdonck (county MVP) and Brazos Fuller (co-newcomer of the year), Burleson’s Ayinde Alaajiy (co-newcomer of the year), Godley’s Blake Washinton (co-linemen of the year), Alvarado’s Tyler Bates (defensive MVP), Alvarado Head Coach Jeff Dixon (coach of the year) and Grandview’s Davis Scarbrough (co-linemen of the year).

Joshua
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

Keene
Rio Vista
First Team Defense.jpg

Front, from left, are Grandview’s Caleb Hollingsworth, Cleburne’s Zach Haler, Joshua’s Jordan Garrett, Alvarado’s A.J. Castillo, Xavier Holbert, Kenny Adams and Marcus McNeil, Cleburne’s Conner Martyniuk and Godley’s Drew Benge. Standing, from left, are Alvarado’s Ronald Thomas, C.J. Johnson and Alex Gentrey, Grandview’s Austin Wylie and Caleb Armstrong. Not pictured is Alvarado’s Marcus Villarreal.

Venus
DSC_0283.tif

Fallen deputy Clifton Taylor’s sister, Megan Davis, takes a picture of a painting of her brother on Monday during a dedication to the deputy. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office renamed its building to the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center in honor of the deputy who lost his life during a disturbance call in April. The picture was painted by Fort Worth artist Gary Crouch. Three pictures were made and one will hang in the Clifton Taylor Law Enforcement Center. The other two paintings were presented as gifts to Taylor’s parents and his fiancee.

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